The effect of soil physico-chemical characteristics on the severity of Fusarium wilt of bananas

Abstract

Banana production is under threat globally from Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) Tropical Race 4. Foc Tropical Race 4 was first discovered in Australia’s primary banana production region of North Queensland in 2015 and has slowly spread since. To date there are no agronomically suitable disease resistant varieties and no known treatments, so quarantine has been the primary management tool, though it is not a permanent solution. The
objective of this thesis was to increase understanding of how soil physico-chemical characteristics affect the severity of Fusarium wilt of banana.